When eating out, whatever the local social system is. It is correct in Cornwall, for instance, to hold a Cornish Pasty in your fist and eat it from the other end (unless it's too hot to hold; a proper pasty shouldn't be too crumbly or soft). Meat pies will normally be with knife and fork (fork held in the left hand, knife in the right; optionally the other way round for sinister people). Fruit pie is usually with a spoon, optionally with a fork. Cake served as dessert is usually with a fork, but served for "afternoon tea" is often eaten using fingers even at 'posh' places.
At home (includes family meals) it depends on the type of pie or cake. Solid cakes (sponge, fruit cake, the things called 'muffins' in the US, etc.) I use fingers. Some cold pies I use fingers (particularly the solid meat pies). Savoury pies served with vegetables and/or gravy I us a knife and fork (as for other meat & veg type savoury dishes). Fruit pies with cream, ice cream, or custard, or ones which are too soft to pick up, I use a spoon and sometimes a fork as well.
Pizza (regarded by some as a form of open pie or savoury tart) is eaten with fingers unless too hot or too floppy.
I regard this as British 'normal' etiquette, not necessarily that of those who think themselves "upper class" (who have things like fish knives and special spoons and forks for each type of food).
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Date: 2006-10-15 12:58 pm (UTC)At home (includes family meals) it depends on the type of pie or cake. Solid cakes (sponge, fruit cake, the things called 'muffins' in the US, etc.) I use fingers. Some cold pies I use fingers (particularly the solid meat pies). Savoury pies served with vegetables and/or gravy I us a knife and fork (as for other meat & veg type savoury dishes). Fruit pies with cream, ice cream, or custard, or ones which are too soft to pick up, I use a spoon and sometimes a fork as well.
Pizza (regarded by some as a form of open pie or savoury tart) is eaten with fingers unless too hot or too floppy.
I regard this as British 'normal' etiquette, not necessarily that of those who think themselves "upper class" (who have things like fish knives and special spoons and forks for each type of food).